ABSENTLY

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does absently mean? 

• ABSENTLY (adverb)
  The adverb ABSENTLY has 1 sense:

1. in an absentminded or preoccupied manner

  Familiarity information: ABSENTLY used as an adverb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• ABSENTLY (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

In an absentminded or preoccupied manner

Synonyms:

absently; absentmindedly; abstractedly; inattentively

Context example:

he read the letter absently

Pertainym:

absent (lost in thought; showing preoccupation)

 Context examples 

"How well you talk," she said absently, and he noted that she was looking at him in a searching way.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

He ceased speaking, and his gaze wandered absently past her and became lost in the placid sea.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

"That I'm not!" acquiesced Laurie, with an expression of humility quite new to him, as he dropped his eyes and absently wound Jo's apron tassel round his finger.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

"Yes'm," Miller said absently.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

He listened absently to a long dun from the type-writer people, his mind busy with ways and means of finding a job.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

"I believe so," answered Jo absently.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

"Have you had that, too?" she queried absently, intent on the heaven-sent justification she was finding in his arms.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

She never had much to show when she came home, but was studying nature, I dare say, while she sat for hours, with her hands folded, on the terrace at Valrosa, or absently sketched any fancy that occurred to her, a stalwart knight carved on a tomb, a young man asleep in the grass, with his hat over his eyes, or a curly haired girl in gorgeous array, promenading down a ballroom on the arm of a tall gentleman, both faces being left a blur according to the last fashion in art, which was safe but not altogether satisfactory.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

"Do you think so?" Martin queried absently, for to him there was only one beautiful woman in the world, and she was beside him, her hand upon his arm.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

Jo glanced into them, and when she came to her own, leaned her chin on the edge, and stared absently at the chaotic collection, till a bundle of old exercise books caught her eye.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)